International Journal of Agriculture Innovations and Research Volume 7, Issue 4, ISSN (Online) 2319-1473 Manuscript Processing Details (dd/mm/yyyy): Received: 24/01/2019 | Accepted on: 09/02/2019 | Published: 26/02/2019 Socio-Economic and Environmental Values of Korarima [Aframomum corrorima (Braun) P.C.M. Jansen] Israel Petros Menbere1*, Firew Admasu1 and Samuel Petros Menbere2 1Department of Biology, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Dilla University, Dilla, Ethiopia. 2Department of Pharmacy, Ariba Minch University, Ariba Minch, Ethiopia. Abstract – Korarima (Aframomum corrorima), is a tropical Stigma of the flower in the plant is positioned below or perennial, shade loving and aromatic herb native to Ethiopia. against the base of the thecae of the anther [4]. It is categorized under family Zingiberaceae and the genus Korarima (A. corrorima) is a native crop to Ethiopia and Aframomum. The agro-ecology of korarima (A. corrorima) is is well known for it’s a very widespread utilization in characterized by humid or moist forests, slightly shaded, Ethiopian and Eritrean cuisines [5]. It is also the plant that wetter and open places in forests at 1350-2000 m altitude. This study was made on the socio-economic and environmental has been used as spices, medicine, an income source and values of korarima (A. corrorima). The paper aimed to provide means of soil conservation traditionally [2]. The growing details on korarima since there is a growing demand in the and cultivation of the plant is mainly practiced in the forests socio-economic and environmental aspects in Ethiopia, the of south and south western parts of the Ethiopia such as spice deserved less research and management attention and Gamo Gofa, Debub Omo, Kaffa, Ilubabor, Sidamo and studying the socio-economic and ecological function of A. Welega are among others [3]. corrorima was found to be important in promoting its role in Korarima (A. corrorima) provides a range of benefits for human quality of life, national economic support, household communities that grow the crop. It serves as a spice since income and environmental protection. These issues were dried capsules used for consumption as food seasoning. The addressed through exploration of different studies conducted on A. corrorima and by referring various journals. The study plant's seed (usually dried) has been part of daily Ethiopian indicated korarima (A. corrorima) provides a range of socio- dish in preparation of curry powder for culinary purposes economic and environmental benefits for communities. It is [5] – [4] – [6]. A. corrorima has also medicinal importance one of the spices used to flavour the different culinary as a result it has been used to treat human alignments [2] – tradition in Ethiopia and is an ingredient of spice mixtures. A. [5]. According to [2], korarima which is one of the aromatic corrorima is also a renowned medicinal crop from which parts medicinal plants, used in traditional medicine by the people of korarima plant are used as a medicine for treating human of southern Ethiopia. The values of korarima are not only and animal ailments. Dried capsule and seeds of korarima also limited to home use and in traditional medicine. Rather, it provide a great economic value by supporting local income has an importance in supporting local livelihood and and used as an export commodity. In addition, A. corrorima appeared to be important to preserve the endangered natural environmental conservation. It provides economic benefits forests and in promoting soil conservation. However, for communities from local and export markets. In addition, challenges like lack of adequate agricultural inputs, problem it is an important plant for soil conservation since the of marketing and finance, inappropriate capsule collection of rhizomes and leaves spread over and cover the ground [1]. korarima, pests and genetic erosion affect the productivity as Although korarima (A. corrorima) is an important crop well as the role of A. corrorima in Ethiopia. having a diverse array of benefits to the communities in Ethiopia, it has been one of the most mishandled crops and Keywords – Aframomum Corrorima, Environmental, which a less research attention has been given [7]–[8]. Socio-Economic, Values. Similarly, there is a growing demand of korarima in the socio-economic and environmental aspect in Ethiopia [9]– I. INTRODUCTION [7]–[10]. However, no previous work provides details on the socio-economic and environment values of A. A. Korarima and Their Values corrorima in organized manner. In addition, little has been Korarima (Aframomum corrorima), which is also named known about the A. corrorima and its various roles outside as “false cardamom”, is a tropical perennial, shade loving the country [11]. Studying the social, economic and and aromatic herb (Figure I). It is characterized by large size ecological functions of A. corrorima was found to be and bearing flowers either terminally on aerial leaf shoots important as it promotes its role in human quality of life, or from the ground level [1]. A. corrorima is categorized national economic support, household income and environ- under family Zingiberaceae and the genus Aframomum. It -mental protection [12]. Hence, the overall perspective of commonly grows from 1-2 m high with scaly of large size this study was to review the socio-economic and [2]. A. corrorima flowers usually from January to environmental values of korarima in Ethiopia. December and the fruits mature 2 or 3 months later [3]. Copyright © 2019 IJAIR, All right reserved 405 International Journal of Agriculture Innovations and Research Volume 7, Issue 4, ISSN (Online) 2319-1473 Fig. I. Korarima plant and its fruits [10]. B. Agro-ecology of Korarima [15]. The variation in agro-ecological aspect of production Ethiopia possesses agro-ecological zones which are areas affects the physical and chemical characteristics of favorable for production of spices. The Ethiopian korarima. Some of the agro-ecological factors include agro- cardamom (A. corrorima) is one of the spices which is climatic conditions existing in the area of production and indigenous to the country and grows in the wild [13]. It is soil types [9] - [10]. According to [10], soil factor was one also the crop that makes components of home garden plants of the variables affected the chemical composition of widely planted by communities in South Ethiopia [14]. It is korarima during the study in Basketo and Kafa areas, in found in humid or moist forests, slightly shaded, wetter and Ethiopia. This led to the Basketo product to show a higher open places in forests at 1350 - 2000 m altitude [3]. essential oil content and high percentage proportion for six According to [15], from long term evaluation results of the major chemical constituents (i.e. for 1,8-cineole, attained, korarima, was found well adapted to the hot- sabinene, β-pinene, limonene, geraniol, and neryl acetate) humid and lowland agro - ecologies of Southwestern as the korarima growing soils of the two areas significantly Ethiopia. Similarly, the same study found as korarima can differed in five of the twelve measured variables. also adapt well in mid altitude areas such as Jimma zone, Dawuro and Wolayita zones. Under small - scaleI. II. SOCIO-ECONOMIC VALUES OF KORORIMA production, it could be successfully intercropped with other horticultural crops like enset, banana, and/ or coffee. The Korarima provides various benefits for communities in technology of this intercropping proved well adapted to Ethiopia. Some of these include importance in food most parts of Western and Southwestern Ethiopia [15]. preparation, medicinal values, economic benefits, etc. The Cardamom prefers agro-ecological areas with humus- major socio-economic values of korarima in some parts of rich forest covered soils for its better and productive growth Ethiopia are given in Table I. Table I. The major socio-economic values of A. corrorima in different locations in Ethiopia Place Use types References Wolaita Zone, Damot Gale Food preparation, medicine and spice Agize et al., 2016 Basketo District Spice, medicine and income Woldeyes, 2011 Kafa Zone Spice, medicine and income Woldeyes, 2011 West Shoa, Ambo Food preparation Zuberi et al., 2014 Tepi and Masha areas Income Gebreazgaabher and Negash, 2015 A. Korarima as a Flavoring Spice national culinary tradition commonly described as spicy Cuisine is an essential part of culture [16]. It has become food [17]. Korarima is one of the spices used in a daily a prime element in the cluster of traits popularly understood Ethiopian dishes. The seeds are used to flavour coffee, local as ethnicity, and thus the popular usage of the phrase ethnic food, special kinds of bread, butter and all kinds of sauces food. In Ethiopia, it means that complicated social dynami- [18]. It is also an ingredient of berbere, mitmita, awaze and -cs and processes associated with the emergence of a other spice mixtures [11]. Korarima seeds are ground and Copyright © 2019 IJAIR, All right reserved 406 International Journal of Agriculture Innovations and Research Volume 7, Issue 4, ISSN (Online) 2319-1473 usually mixed with other spices before they are used to developed into an important commercial product if flavor all kinds of sauces locally called ‘wot’ [7]. Although necessary attention is given to its research on its different korarima is consumed as a spice, it may also be used as a aspects [8]. source of antioxidants, and the arilloid flesh around the seed D. Environmental and Conservation Values of is edible [18]. Korarima B. Medicinal Values of Korarima Korarima (A. corrorima), is one of the cherished spices Medicinal plants and traditional medicine are important that occurs in the natural ecosystems together with natural components of the health caring systems in most forest and is also collected from the forests [14]-[15]. As A. developing countries. In Ethiopia, nearly 80% of human corrorima requires a shady environment and moisture soil population and 90% of livestock rely on traditional for its growth, the production of A.